Street Sign on Parkmount Road on corner with Antrim Road, Belfast

Tiled street sign supported on a fluted cast iron post, located at the junction of Parkmount Road and Antrim Road in Belfast. This is a fine example of a tiled street sign erected in the early twentieth century by Belfast Corporation, probably to assist passengers in locating their stops on the city's tram system.

The sign comprises individual 5-inch tall glazed tiles, each bearing a white letter on a black background, spelling PARKMOUNT ROAD. The tiles are set on a cast iron back plate. Blank tiles fill the extra space on the lower row, and moulded black tiles form the sign's perimeter, restrained with a wrought iron strap. The tiled sign measures 14 inches high. The back plate is bolted to the post in four places at the rear. The overall structure stands 62 inches high. The fluted circular post tapers from 3 inches wide at the top to 3.25 inches at the octagonal base, with a projecting ring at top and bottom. A ball finial projects above the tiled sign. Unfortunately, the base has been partially buried within the footpath.

Prior to the early 1900s, Belfast street signs lacked uniformity. In late 1904, Belfast Corporation's Police Committee established a sub-committee to standardise signage. Initially enamel signage was proposed, but in July 1907 this was rescinded, with councillors agreeing that tile street signs be used in leading thoroughfares and iron signs in other streets in accordance with submitted patterns. The prohibition of hanging and projecting signs in main arteries reflected the rapid growth of the city and the need for legible street markers. The Corporation's takeover and electrification of the city's tram system in 1905 further prompted the need for clear road identifiers. The freestanding white-on-black ceramic signs appear to date from around 1907 onwards. The regularity of surviving examples—distinctive sans serif lettering and fluted cast-iron columns with ball finals—suggests all are Corporation installations from 1907 or later. Cast-iron columns were superseded by square section concrete posts around the early 1930s. Parkmount Road was laid out circa 1900. It is likely that the signs at the junction with Antrim Road were erected in or after 1907, but before circa 1930.

These signs possess group value with other nearby listed street signs at Donegal Park Avenue, Fortwilliam Park, and Glastonbury Avenue. The signs remain part of Belfast's rich legacy of cast iron street furniture, which includes Parliamentary Boundary Posts, Post Boxes, and Telephone Kiosks, and continue to serve a useful function for public transport passengers today.